Lent Week 2 - HOLY

SATURDAY, March 2  
I shouldn't try to finish my "HOLY week" all at once, but suddenly all these other ideas came out this morning!!  
"Holy Gift"  (ODB)
Ephesians 2:8 (CEB)
You are saved by God’s grace because of your faith. This salvation is God’s gift.
God has given us a free gift of grace.  What gift could be more holy than grace?  Do we treat grace as a holy gift?  Do we revere it?  Do we live a life as if it matters?  
"Holy Love"   (JKauth)
In comments Jim made earlier this week, he reminded me that I couldn't finish out a HOLY week without Holy Love.  Love, wrapped up in the holy, becomes a life-changing love.  Holy love can move mountains, mend broken hearts and relationships.  Holy love becomes God-love.  
"Holy Glory"  (WwG)
Psalm 19:14  (GNT)
May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you,
    O Lord, my refuge and my redeemer!
In Walk with God, author Tiegreen writes of Psalm 19 "In such a glorious creation that proclaims God's goodness from the rising of the sun to its setting, David knows how tragic it would be not to fit in."  Today Rick and I walked among a new part of God's creation - the saguaro cactus forest.  The words Holy Glory echoed in my mind as I reflected on the wondrous way the saguaro was created to survive in this world.  How intricately God has planned all of creation to exist.  How wrong it is when we neglect to honor as holy the absolute glory of God's creation.  And that creation includes ourselves!  Do we reflect holy glory to others?  Are our speech, our actions, our very beings a shout-out to the glory of God?  


FRIDAY, March 1  "Holy Expectation" (ODB)
Hebrews 11:33-34  (The Message)
Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies. 

When God is your partner, you can make your plans large!  (ODB)

If we expect great things from God, we will attempt great things.  Faith makes us far stronger than we realize.  This passage from Hebrews recounts one Biblical 'hero' after another who performed astounding deeds because of their faith.  Holy Expectation allows us (forces us?) to consider the 'God Factor' in each new situation we approach.   Alone? Impossible!  With God?  Expect the best! As Rick and I begin new volunteer experiences in the weeks ahead, may we be filled with Holy Expectation to the power of God working through us.  May we approach each day with that hopeful expectation in mind, with the faithful assurance that God will see us through!  Plan big!!  

THURSDAY, February 28  “Holy Walk”   (WwG)

Proverbs 14:2

“An honest life shows respect for God,

     A degenerate life is a slap in his face.”  (MSG)

“He whose walk is upright, fears the Lord,

     But he whose ways are devious, despises him.”  (NIV)

It’s my life, my body!

Do my own thing.

If it doesn’t hurt anyone, it’s fine.

Nobody’s business but my own!

Is this how we live?

Independent, self-assured, arrogant?

Is this how we proclaim our faith?

Inwardly and silent,

While proclaiming with our life something very different?

To take a holy walk,

To live a life of faith,

Means an outward display,

Twenty-four seven,

Three sixty five.

May I walk holy, live holy,

Every second, every day,

And thereby proclaim my Lord. 

WEDNESDAY, February 27  “Holy Mud!”

1 Peter 3:15 (The Message)

“Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, non of it will stick.  They’ll end up realizing they’re the ones who need a bath!”

     I couldn’t help skipping ahead two verses in 1 Peter to use this imagery.  The ONE YEAR WALK WITH GOD  focuses on verse 13 and making Christ Lord of ALL in our lives.  In so doing, where God affects every decision, every corner of our lives (and we all try to maintain self control over some hidden corner!) – we should have a clear conscience.  Let people say what they will, God is behind us and in us!  Throw the mud!  It won’t stick! 

     Have I given God ALL my life?  He can manage it much better than I!  Why do we fight so hard against God in this?  

TUESDAY, February 26  "Holy Wisdom"
Proverbs 4:7-9 (The Message)
Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding!
Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!
    Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!
Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it;
    never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.
A world of smart people.
Geniuses, scientific wonders. 
Famous, wealthy, on the news with new discoveries.  
But wise people?
Truly wise?
In short supply.  
Wisdom knows God. 
Wisdom knows our world and God in it. 
Wisdom knows our place in God's world. 
Wisdom is relationship. 
Learn God, see what God is doing,
Be in relationship with God. 
That's Holy Wisdom,
Not brain smarts.  
Fill life with the holy, not worldly,
And life will have meaning and purpose.  

Excitement!  We are "On the Road Again!" today, departing for points South!  The roads could be a bit icy and COLD until we get into southern Nevada.  I ask for God's traveling mercies on us....and that we don't freeze tonight in Winnemucca's 15 degree forecast!    May the trip add to my wisdom....of God at work in our world and in me!  Shalom friends! 

MONDAY, February 25  "Holy Trust"
Based on Genesis 22:1-18 (Sacrifice of Isaac) and a d365.org story (Valerie Burton):
     Once I saw a pastor, in front of a large audience, invite a teenager to the stage. He asked, would she fall backwards and trust that he would keep her from falling? Blindfolded, the teen was reluctant, but then she did it. The pastor gently caught the teen and stood her back up. Then he asked her to do it again but this time, the blind teenager heard the pastor’s voice coming from in front of her. Could she fall backwards and trust him to not let her fall?

     The audience had the benefit of seeing that another strong looking person had quietly stepped in behind her.

     We say we trust God.  All you have to do is look around and see God at work.  But when the answer is something we don't expect or we don't understand how it could possibly work, are we willing to fall backwards and KNOW God will be there?  Are we able to tie up our child on the altar and prepare to kill him in obedience and trust in God's wisdom as Abraham?  That is supreme trust.  Often God works in ways we can't imagine (there's that word again!).  Then it becomes a matter of 'holy trust':  Trust that God has the situation covered.  If we are in daily relationship with God, we build the kind of faith that allows HOLY TRUST to exist.  The teen above didn't know the pastor, she had just one example of his strength. To fall the second time would be hard until more of a relationship was formed.  
     How well am I working on my relationship with God, so I will be ready and willing to fall back during difficult times into God's loving arms? 

SUNDAY, February 24  "Holy Imagination"
Genesis 15:5-6 (The Message)

Then he took him outside and said, “Look at the sky. Count the stars. Can you do it? Count your descendants! You’re going to have a big family, Abram!”   And he believed! Believed God! God declared him “Set-Right-with-God.”

Imagine. 
Just imagine for a moment. 
The possibilities, the opportunities, 
The incredible consequences
Of a relationship with God. 
Of knowing and serving 
God Almighty - personally!
Look to the heavens and count the stars!
Impossible!  But no!
Use our holy imagination,
Beyond our wildest dreams
And realize what we can be
With God at work inside us.  
It's staggering. Overwhelming. 
Inspiring and very humbling.   
Allow God to stir within
The power of holy imagination. 
What can be that we can't yet see?
Through God, in God, with God.  

(d365.org, RCL)

Addendum:  God at work.  I had finished writing and was preparing to draw the scribble when Rick got up and came out to turn on the Christian radio we always listen to while he does his exercises.  The first words I heard being sung?  "Only imagine, just only imagine, what the world could be.....only imagine!"  Perhaps this IS the message I am suppose to hear today!!  

As Rick and I prepare to embark on another adventure, I am going to stray from d365.org at times in the next few months, somewhat because internet may become an issue, and also for a fresh slant/outlook/format?  I am taking with me three resources: Our Daily Bread, a book of daily devotions published by rbc ministries,  The One Year Walk with God Devotional  written by Chris Tiegreen and published by Tyndale House, and The Revised Common Lectionary.   (References will be given as d365, ODB, WwG, or RCL)  

Daily publication of this blog may not happen, nor will a scribble always accompany the post.  Come, travel with us, and see what God has in store!  It's an adventure of great imagination!  

Lent Week 1 - VULNERABLE

d365.org Presence of God  (Luke Fodor)
“When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability....To be alive is to be vulnerable,” says Madeleine L’Engle. Jesus seems to agree.

During Lent we follow Jesus and journey into the wildness of the wilderness and find the power of vulnerability.

SATURDAY, February 23 "Scripture Battle"
Luke 4:9-13 (Common English Bible)

The devil brought him into Jerusalem and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down from here;  for it’s written: He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you  and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.^{[Psalm 91]}”  Jesus answered, “It’s been said, Don’t test the Lord your God.”^{[Deuteronomy 6]} After finishing every temptation, the devil departed from him until the next opportunity.

      Jesus has been quoting scripture to counteract the first two temptations. Now Satan is  playing the game.  A round of 'Scripture Battle' ensues between the two forces, each quoting Biblical texts as they can be interpreted for their own purposes.  I hate this game!   One, I am not knowledgeable enough of specific verses to be good at it; and two,  I think the message can get twisted.  You can find a verse somewhere in the Bible to justify nearly ANYTHING!  
     Jesus quotes the well-known Hebrew scriptures throughout his ministry to reinforce his 'fulfillment' of the scripture.  Always for the glory of God.  This is not Satan's intent, rather his is for the glory of evil.  Whenever we find ourselves wanting to engage in Scripture Battle, may we first ask,  'to who's glory?  Is this going to make ME look righteous and smart, or will God be glorified?'  Only play the game if God is the winner!   

d365.org  BENEDICTION (Luke Fodor)

May God the creator empower you to see your vulnerability as your source of strength, prompting you to reach out to the vulnerable and marginalized in your life.

May God the servant cultivate abundant love in you, allowing you to display your truest and most vulnerable self.

May God the comforter give you enough peace for you to share your insecurities and vulnerabilities with the world.

FRIDAY, February 22 "Cake and Shortcuts" 
Luke 4:5-8 (The Message)

 For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, “They’re yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they’re yours, the whole works.”

Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”

Have it all!

Your cake AND eat it too!

Abundance and wealth, 

Power and prestige!

More, more, and even more! 

Isn't this what our culture teaches?

Take the shortcut to the top!

Do what you must to achieve success!

And what do we find at the top?

Not happiness, not power, but God.

God, patiently waiting for us to

Resist the temptation and come back. 

Come back in worship and praise,

In communion and relationship.

God is the only cake we need. 

God is the only shortcut to take. 

THURSDAY, February 21 "Two Thoughts"
Luke 4:3-4 

The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: “Since you’re God’s Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to really live.”  (The Message)

The Devil said to him, “If you are God's Son, order this stone to turn into bread.”

But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone.’”  (Good News Translation)

Two Translations. Two Thoughts. 

Bread. Manna in the wilderness.
Sustenance.
Physical life. 
But REALLY living?
That takes spiritual bread. 
Not stones, but prayer. 
Spirit. Faith. Trials.
That involves realizing we are MORE
Than our physical needs. 
We can BE more. 

"Since you are God's son" OR
"If you are God's son". 
Which is it?
In the first the Devil  KNOWS his adversary.

In the second, Satan is unsure.  
We are sure.  We know. 
And we know no temptation is worth
Anything lin the light of God's power. 
SINCE you are God's son!    


WEDNESDAY, February 20  
"Comfort Zones"
Luke 4:1-2 (CEB)
Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. There he was tempted for forty days by the devil. He ate nothing during those days and afterward Jesus was starving.
Starving? That translates for me to a state of physical deprivation!  Your body is in trouble!  But other Bible translations use the term Hungry, which I hear as physical discomfort.  There is a difference.  I don't think God calls us to starve (hence, die) physically, yet he does call us to be vulnerable to uncomfortable situations.  Luke Fodor of d365.org writes, 

Every year on the first Sunday of Lent, the Church recounts the 

story of God’s Spirit pushing Jesus out into the wilderness

 for forty days of fasting before the

start of his ministry. Jesus used this time to prepare for his ministry 

by accepting his vulnerability. We are called to follow his example.

Where do you find the wilderness? 

How do you find the courage to venture out into it?

 Today I think of son Luke always speaking of being pushed outside our "comfort zone".  Is this our wilderness?  Is the place where we are uncomfortable our place of vulnerability?  As such, then, it is the place where we open ourselves to God and God's purpose and will.  But notice, we are not alone.  We are 'led by the Spirit'!  Most wilderness experiences can be overcome when accompanied by such a worthy guide!   Where is my wilderness?  What is going to make me uncomfortable enough that I MUST put my trust in God?  

TUESDAY, February 19  "Vulnerable in Prayer"

Romans 10:11-13  (The Message)
Scripture reassures us, “No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it.” It’s exactly the same no matter what a person’s religious background may be: the same God for all of us, acting the same incredibly generous way to everyone who calls out for help. “Everyone who calls, ‘Help, God!’ gets help.”
    The Daily Bread devotional this morning was on patiently waiting on God's time for his help (text from 1 Sam 13).  I pondered the message but since I have internet this morning, I also returned to d365.org and this week's writer Luke Fodor.  The theme is being vulnerable before God.  The last line of his reflection reads, "Prayer is primarily about owning our vulnerability."  That got me to thinking.  In the Samuel passage, Saul took matters into his own hands because God hadn't yet acted in the manner he desired.  Saul didn't want to own up to his dependency on God.  How often do we do this?  We often fail to connect with God until the HELP cry echoes forth!  We don't like to think we can't do it alone!  We don't like being vulnerable to the world and patiently waiting for God, and in God's time!  Help, God, and in YOUR way!  

Source for the next few days:

Our Daily Bread devotional book, published by RBC Ministries

MONDAY, February 18  
"Fuel for Hospitality"

Romans 12:11-13  (The Message)

“Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame.  Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant.  Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder.  Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.”

     Without internet access today, I am going to continue with another section of yesterday’s scripture of advice from Paul. I was struck mostly by the first and the last lines in this passage: don’t burn out and creative hospitality.

     How often do we witness ‘burn-out’ in today’s world?  People dive into new activities or life styles with abandon, and then slowly….reality sets in and the novelty wears off.  It is difficult to maintain the intensity.  Early Christians were in danger of doing the same.  How do we stay fueled?  What kind of fuel do we seek?  While our bodies need the fuel of daily food and water, our faith needs the fuel of daily contact with God – through prayer, through scripture, through interactions with fellow believers.  Am I feeding my spiritual soul daily as well as my physical body?

     Hospitality was a key element of Biblical life.  Homes were opened and the best a family had to offer was put forth for any and all visitors.  What does it mean today to be inventive in hospitality?  What does it look like in our private, fearful culture today?  We are aghast at the thought of opening our home to total strangers!  It might be dangerous!  Yet it is through constant, creative hospitality that we put a name and a face to the needs of the world – we personalize service in such a way that it becomes second nature.  Hospitality is putting the needs of others ahead of my own.  How can I do this today in a new way?  Whom can I impact?  

SUNDAY, February 17, 2013

"PLAYING IN GOD’S BAND"

Romans 12:6-8  (The Message)

“If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teachings; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them.  Keep a smile on your face." 

The actual scripture for today was much longer with more wise advice from Paul. (vs. 3-13)  I think you could spend a whole week on just this chapter from Romans!  At the heart, the Daily Bread author puts it well:  ‘We can’t all play the same part in God’s band of service, but we should all play in harmony.”

We are gifted by God differently.  It is imperative that we honor the gifts of others just as highly (or more!) than we seem to esteem our own gifts!  All have a purpose and a role. All are critical.  To play the music of God effectively and with love, we must play together in harmony, and ….we must be playing the same music!!!  

Darkness and Light

Lent Begins

d365.org Presence of God  (Daniel Ingram)
Long after the sun sets, its light remains in the reflection of the moon and the living things nourished by its warmth.  Close your eyes for just a moment. In this present darkness, be reminded that you are never alone. Feel God's presence already with you, calling you forward.  When you are ready, open your eyes and heart, and take these first steps in the journey to the cross.

SATURDAY, February 16  "Agent for God"

2 Corinthians 5:20-21  (The Message)

We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.   How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.

     The thought that I am a representative of Christ is a bit overwhelming.  That is a statement filled with responsibility and obligation.  I am currently reading a book Not a Fan  that delves into the differences between being a "fan" of Jesus or a "follower".  To be a true ambassador (as many translations put it) is to be a follower, not just a vocal fan.  A follower DOES, with actions, what he/she believes.  A fan simply spouts  words of support (like I do here?)    Much to ponder, yet I am sustained by the next line, "Become friends with God;  he's already a friend with you."  What does friendship with God REALLY entail?  

     My thoughts are tumbling this morning as I have been reading through the Bingham's blog with the highs and lows of their heart transplant emotions.  Sierra's heart is in trouble and facing some serious treatment, Lindsey is still waiting to fully 'wake-up' from her transplant.  I am amazed at the strength of this family, at their faith.  Two other friends are in chemotherapy and radiation for cancer, another had surgery yesterday to remove a cancerous bladder, another is inoperable and awaits.......  So many to be praying for and with.  What can I DO as Christ's representative?  
     I just read through all of d365.org and found this line for today from writer Daniel Ingram, "To share in God’s story also means reconciling yourself to God and making God’s heart your heart."  Somehow that just hit home in light of our prayers for Lindsey.  Are we all in need of heart transplants?  To journey to the cross with Christ is to receive a new heart from God? 

     On the road today again to take my mom up to Redmond and gather with my sister's family for a few days.  I am thinking of Jim Kauth as we drive, and his journey today to solidify and mark his journey as Christ's representative.  Is Jim receiving a heart transplant today as well?  God be with you, Jim!  Blessings on the journey!     

FRIDAY, February 15  "Bubble Baths"

Psalm 51:10-12 (Common English Bible)

Create a clean heart for me, God;
    put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!

Please don’t throw me out of your presence;
    please don’t take your holy spirit away from me.

Return the joy of your salvation to me
    and sustain me with a willing spirit.

     I realize it is the day after Valentine's, and the scripture speaks of hearts, we celebrate with the Binghams at Lindsey's new heart, but it is the SPIRIT that caught me eye when I read the passage this morning.  A NEW spirit, a FAITHFUL spirit, the HOLY spirit that sustains a WILLING spirit.  When we give our HEART to God, this spirit is God's gift in return.  Wow!  We are washed clean in this spirit.  What is our obligation and responsibility to be that willing and steadfast spirit?  

    We are on the road this morning.  I shall simply post the Psalm 51 scribble since it included the key verse!  Besides, isn't it a wonderful thought to visualize God daily scrubbing us clean?  Is forgiveness just a wonderful bubble bath, filled with little spirit bubbles?  

THURSDAY, February 14  "Heart Treasure"

Matthew 6:19-21  (Common English Bible)

 “Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them.   Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them.   Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

It's Valentine's Day!
Relationships, loved ones, 
Family, friends. Treasure. 
Where is my treasure?
What is my treasure? 
Not things, not STUFF. 
People.  People I love.
People waiting to BE loved. 
Store up these treasures. 
A treasure chest of Valentines,
Ready to share.
Ready to scatter amid the world.  
Put MY heart into the treasure chest of God.

d365.org Benediction (8th century Irish song)  

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that thou art. 

Thou my best thought by day or by night. 

Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light. 

ASH WEDNESDAY, February 13

Matthew 6:6 (The Message)

Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

It's Ash Wednesday.  I was a bit confused as I turned to Journey to the Cross online at d365.org and found the same scripture as last year.  I thought, "Is the whole devotion the same one?"  In checking the lectionary, I discovered that the Gospel scripture for all three years is the exact same passage from Matthew for Ash Wednesday.  It changes after that, but for this day it is the same.  

  

Lent is a time for inward reflection.  To find that quiet, secluded place alone with God.  To learn, to grow in faith.  To discover our place in the darkness of Christ's death. For without Lent, the brilliant light of the resurrection dims.  During Lent we consider our personal journey with God and the ways we block the Light.   It is a private journey, however, not a public display of piety.  It is a journey I have taken for the past four years in the early morning hours.  Time with God....well spent.  

Prayers today.   In California at this moment, Lindsey Lou Bingham is receiving a new heart.  Her family is experiencing the transition from darkness to light.  Another family of the donor heart is finding their way through a sudden darkness. May God be with both families, the surgeons and staff, and bring healing to all.  

DISCIPLESHIP

     I came across another article in Relevant Magazine (introduce to me by son Luke, so that should give you a good idea of the type of Christian magazine it is) that caused me to pause and think....this is Missional Committee material.  This is what we have been talking about.  I'm not going to repost the entire article by Francis Chan (A Time to Make Disciples), but I will quote some of his more 'relevant' passages!
     Chan begins by referencing the death and resurrection of Jesus and the impact on the disciples, and then continues....

• "But once again, Jesus surprised everyone.  Instead of telling them that He would immediately transform the Earth, Jesus gave His disciples one final command and then ascended into heaven.  
• Essentially, He told them it was their job to finish what he started.  'Go and make disciples....'
• Many read these words as if they were meant to inspire pastors or missionaries on their way out to the mission field.  Have you ever considered that maybe Jesus' command is meant for you?
• Somehow we have created a church culture where the paid ministers do the 'ministry' and the rest of us show up, put some money in the plate and leave feeling inspired or 'fed'.  
• We have moved so far away from Jesus' command that many Christians don't have a frame of reference for what disciple-making looks like." 

This next part is what really brought the missional group to mind as we talk 'programs':

• "For some of us, our church experiences have been so focused on programs that we immediately think about Jesus' command to make disciples in programmatic terms.  We expect our church leaders to create some sort of disciple-maker campaign where we sign up, commit to participating for a few months and then get to cross the Great Commission off our list.  
• But making disciples is far more than a program.  It is the mission of our lives.  It defines us.  A disciple is a disciple-maker.  
• So what does the Great Commission look like?
• It's incredibly simple in the sense that it doesn't require a degree, an ordination process or some sort of hierarchical status.  The concept is not difficult.  But the simplest things to understand are often the most difficult to put into practice.  
• Realistically, the task requires a lifetime of devotion to studying the Scriptures and then investing in the people around us. 
• We are never really 'done'."  

What is our next step as a community to INVEST in the people around us, all the while we continue to learn ourselves?  

Relevant Magazine.  Francis Chan.  "A Time to Make Disciples".  Jan/Feb 2013

REFLECTING THE LIGHT

d365.org  PRESENCE OF GOD   (Daniel Ingram)
The illumination that comes from a light's source is important. We are dependent on these sources; we could not see without them. But illumination that comes from reflected light is also important.  If we are aware of it at all, we hardly notice the difference between one or the other, but we are, actually, dependent on both kinds of light.  The light of the world, we sing, is Jesus. But those of us who follow him also reflect his light. The world is illuminated by each - the source and its reflection.


TUESDAY, February 12  "Face to Face"
2 Corinthians 3:16-18  (The Message)
Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

Spirit God,

Shine on me!

Let of the glory of God-Light

Saturate my soul, my very being,

So I am free to reflect your glory.

Free from self consciousness;

Unburdened from concern over public opinion;

Released from regulations that separate.
May I be an unfettered mirror of God-Light,

Bursting forth with God-Love. 

Living God,

Meet me face to face,

That God-Light will shine through me

And brighten our world.


d365.org  BENEDICTION  (Daniel Ingram)
Radiant God, shine your extraordinary light on my ordinary days so that my whole life can be a reflection of your love. Amen.

MONDAY, February 11  "God-Light"
Exodus 34:29-30, 33  (The Message)
"When Moses came down from Mount Sinai carrying the two Tablets of The Testimony, he didn’t know that the skin of his face glowed because he had been speaking with God. Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, saw his radiant face, and held back, afraid to get close to him. .....  When Moses finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face..."



We reflect how we live. 
We become that which surrounds us. 
We mirror that which fills our lives.
What kind of light are we reflecting?
What do others see in our mirror?
Quality time with God
Puts a radiance to our face.
Living God allows us to mirror God. 
Serving God reflects God-Light. 
Just ask Moses.  
He had to wear a veil -
The brilliance was so dazzling.
Does my God-love 
Blind others with God-light?   
Is the God-Light reflecting from me so bright 
That others must put on their sunglasses?  

Snow crystals - I wanted a star filter!

Addendum:  Rick and I went snowshoeing today up at Anthony Lakes Ski Area.  The ski slopes were closed, there wasn't another person to be seen, the skies were gloriously filled with sunshine, creating sparkling crystals of light reflection on the powder snow.  It was utterly amazing ..... God-Light everywhere.  I kept thinking of this morning's scripture, and Moses with his glowing face; Moses having to veil his face to protect the people from the brilliance of God-Light.  We climbed up to the top of the ski slopes and then continued up to the end of the snowcat trail toward Lakes Lookout.  The views were indescribable.   I thought....I am wearing my sunglasses to protect my eyes from all this God-Light!  For God truly was surrounding us......Today was a Spiritual Snowshoe, no doubt about it.  I tried to color in my God-Light figure in the scribble with dazzling snow, but.....

SUNDAY, February 10   "Transfiguration Light"
Luke 9:28-31 (Common English Bible)
"...[Jesus] took Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes flashed white like lightning.  Two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him.  They were clothed with heavenly splendor and spoke about Jesus’ departure, which he would achieve in Jerusalem."

     We live much of our life in the ordinary.  Work, routine, obligations.  But every so often, we catch a glimpse of our extraordinary God, and the glory, the brilliance, dazzles us.  This was such a moment, perhaps, for the disciples who accompanied Jesus to the mountaintop.  They had walked side by side with this preacher for months, listening, learning, but still they were amazed by the transfiguration.  
     God's light shines in our world.  Do we spend too much time going through the motions of life, that we forget to LIVE -   to see God, to reflect God's light?  The light is present in the ordinary.   God is present.  Christ is present.  What are we doing to magnify God's light, to reflect it to others?   How are we living so that we capture daily the moments of transfiguration that happen?   

d365.org  BENEDICTION  (Daniel Ingram)
Radiant God, shine your extraordinary light on my ordinary days so that my whole life can be a reflection of your love. Amen.